Colesevelam oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes colesevelam oral tablet’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for colesevelam. To learn more about colesevelam oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

Colesevelam oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Welchol. Colesevelam also comes as an oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture), but this article does not describe that form. To learn more about the oral suspension form, talk with your doctor.

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Form and strength of colesevelam

Colesevelam oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: oral tablet, which you’ll swallow
• Strength: 625 milligrams (mg)

Dosage of colesevelam

This article describes the recommended dosages for colesevelam oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of colesevelam oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosage of colesevelam in adults

There is currently only one recommended dosage of colesevelam. You can either take the total daily dose of colesevelam all at once or divide it into two equal doses and take it twice per day.

For lowering blood fats in adults with hyperlipidemia (high levels of certain blood fats) or for lowering blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, the recommended dosage of colesevelam oral tablet is 3,750 mg (3.75 grams [g]) daily taken in one of the following ways:

• 6 tablets once per day
• 3 tablets twice per day

Dosage of colesevelam in children

Colesevelam is approved for use in children ages 10 years and older to treat a certain type of high cholesterol called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which is an inherited condition. Children can take the total daily dose of colesevelam all at once or as two equal doses they take twice per day.

The recommended dosage of colesevelam oral tablet for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in children is 3,750 mg (3.75 g) daily taken in one of the following ways:

• 6 tablets once per day
• 3 tablets twice per day

Missed dose of colesevelam

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of colesevelam oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of colesevelam oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about colesevelam oral tablet and its dosage.

Can colesevelam be used for diarrhea or weight loss? If so, what is the dosage?

Colesevelam is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diarrhea or help with weight loss. However, studies have shown that colesevelam may be used off-label to help with certain types of diarrhea. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have more questions about off-label uses of colesevelam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is colesevelam taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe colesevelam oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take colesevelam oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How colesevelam is taken

You’ll swallow colesevelam oral tablet once or twice per day. You should take colesevelam oral tablet with food and plenty of fluids.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Colesevelam coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for colesevelam when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of colesevelam

It’s important that you do not take more colesevelam oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of colesevelam overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• constipation

What to do if you take too much colesevelam

If you think you’ve taken too much colesevelam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosage for colesevelam oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of colesevelam oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take colesevelam oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will you change my dosage of colesevelam if my current dosage isn’t working for my condition?
• If I begin experiencing side effects, will you change my dosage of colesevelam?
• Will you change my dosage of colesevelam if I’m taking other drugs with it?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.